FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 22031, 17 May 1935, Page 2

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FROM ‘ STAR 1 FILES j The following is the text of the nn< official letter of thanks to the colonies for volunteering to despatch troops to the Sudan, which received over 30,000 signatures in London: undersigned subjects of the Queen resident in the Old Country, desire to express our gratitude to our countrymens and kindred beyond the sea for thq generous offer they have made to send troops for active service. We have always believed that our ties of blood and common ■ love of would keep the Empire one and indivisible* We thank you for this proof that our, faith is founded on truth.” » * * • Mr Skene, labour agent, reports oni the labourl market as follows; —Wages:] Day labour —town, 5s to 7s; country* 7s and 8s; and 9s and 10s for gaffers;) ploughmen, 20s, 225, and 255; shepnerds, £6O and £65; station and fara* couples, £65 to £80; station cooks and bakers, 20s, 255, and 30s; dairy people* 10s, 12s, 15s, and 20s; boys for town* 5s to 10s and no allowances; boys for; country, 8s to 12s and well found; hotel men, quiet at 15s to 20s and 30s ;j hotel females, 10s, 12s, 15s, and 20s* but getting duller every day. Town trades are slowly improving. Ordinary, carpenters, 9s and 10s; shipwrights* 11s; coal miners run from 10s to 14s;] ordinary girls for farms, stations, and town, 10s to 15s. **• ' • The Great Powers are endeavouring to have the Baltic declared a neutral sea in the event of war between Great Britain and Russia. It is believed that a secret treaty has been concluded between England and Turkey. Notwithstanding the arrangement with Russia* to submit the Afghan frontier question, to arbitration, the British preparations for war have been vigorously proceeded with. It is believed, however, that the danger of war has passed. * * An exchange says that it has been decided by the Government not to sell any more totara bush. This is the first really practical step towards forest conservation in New Zealand that has been taken. « • • , * , Mr R. T. Booth, the noted American orator, is conducting to crowded house* temperance meetings in Dunedin. * a * • The British troops are now leaving the Sudan. The New South Wales Contingent is to bo transported to England at the expense of the Home Government.